TIM Cone is tempering expectations of Barangay Ginebra fans, who have been waiting to end a long PBA championship drought for the Gin Kings.
The league’s most successful coach on Thursday was formally introduced at the helm of the league’s most popular team and he quickly ask for fans’ understanding and patience as he tries to lead the Gin Kings to their first title since 2008.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time,” Cone said in a press conference at the San Miguel Corp. compound where Jason Webb was also unveiled as his replacement at Star. “It always does.”
“But we’ll try to be quick,” he added. “But we won’t be in a hurry.”
Cone, who took over Frankie Lim, will instill his proven triangle offense, but stressed that he will focus more on defense.
“If you get the guys to buy in defensively, then we’re going to do something good,” Cone said. “It’s always a process to get that buy-in going with the players.”
“We’ll build a team that not only management, but the fans will be proud of,” added the American mentor, the most-titled coach in league history with 18 crowns.
“The key is building a proper foundation and building from there.”
Cone will bring Hotshots top deputy Richard del Rosario with him, while Johnny Abarrientos and Mon Jose are expected to stay with Webb at Star.
“The hardest part is leaving behind the players, the memories, and all the adversities we fought over the last four years,” Cone said. “That and leaving the fans that have been awesome and moving forward is really difficult.”
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